Worth the trip.

Over to TSN.ca to check out Darren Dreger's exclusive interview with Martin Havlat.

After Havlat's his strange and cryptic quotes on twitter, the former Blackhawk offered to speak with Dreger and elaborate.

ah yes, the beauty of twitter...

not really a huge fan of the twitter for the purpose of being like "hey i just had a sandwich", but sometimes it can be useful for keeping tabs on news.

Martin Havlat has a twitter account... and he's been busy today following the sacking of GM Dale Tallon from his former team.

starting with the oldest from earlier today:

I guess everyone saw what happened to Dale....yes, the story is starting to
come out but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Lot's of people are telling me to stay quiet but shouldn't the fans know
the truth? It's your loyalty, season ticket money and emotions here

What do you people think? Interested to know your thoughts.

Just so everyone begins to understand, Dale was like a 2nd father to
me.

martinhavlatWant to be clear. I loved
my time in Chicago but moved on. Very excited about Minny,going to give
everything I have to the Wild.6 minutes
ago from web

martinhavlatBy telling truth, don't want people to think I'm bitter. Everyone in Minn has been awesome, they believe in me and I won't let them down3 minutes ago from web

Also interesting posts after the July 1 deadline where Havlat was only offered a one-year contract from the Blackhawks...

There's something to be said for loyalty and honor.12:08 AM
Jul 2nd from web

Hossa is a good friend and I am happy for him.12:04 AM
Jul 2nd from web

Thanks to all Hawks fans for your love and support over the last 3 years.
Will never forget your generousity and the great playoff run!12:01 AM
Jul 2nd from web

Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management.
The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out.11:59 PM
Jul 1st from web

Seems like Havlat knows something about why Dale Tallon was so abruptly removed from the General Manager's position.... his handle on twitter is "martinhavlat" ... he's fairly active on it, worth adding as a follow.

A new thing to blame on Hossa.

or at least it seems.

After his one-night stand with the Pittsburgh Penguins two seasons ago, leaving to join the defending stanley cup champions (who beat the penguins in the cup final).... only to have a rematch with the penguins this season and lose... it seems likely that Marion Hossa's body actually produces some form of intensely concentrated Stanley Cup repellent.

So when the Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon decided to sign Hossa to a 12 (YES... COUNT IT... TWELVE) year deal. I kinda thought, gee, that must be a fantastic drug he's on. He's taking a page right out of the Book of Garth Snow.

There are plenty of recent long-term contracts. But I would argue some of those are legit. Who doesn't want to lock down their Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin.... I would argue Marion Hossa is not a player you want locked down. In fact, I would argue you want him to be one of those player that is easily expendible for a draft pick or a few character players at trade deadline.... having a 12 year deal dangling behind him.... not so enticing.

Anyway, the whole point of this rant is to point out that the Blackhawks fired their General Manager. Most of the stories appear to be calling this a "surprise move" since indeed Tallon was "at the helm when the team drafted players such as Kane and Toews". Yes, he was at the helm when the Chicago Blackhawks were so bad that they got third and first overall picks. Picks so high up are usually no-brainers. Kane was ranked first and Chicago took him first. Toews was ranked third and Chicago took him third.

Hossa is a Stanley Cup repellent.... and Tallon signed him to a twelve year deal on a team that has promise to go far in the next few years.

Not so surprising any more?

Win/Fail: Playoff Edition.

I'm going to kick:

JOSH GORGES

Right in the goddamned shin.

Reason:

After surmounting two Boston goals, in Boston's building, Montreal was actually dominating the third period. The momentum was theirs. They were buzzing around the Boston zone and Boston was having problems getting their break-out on the go. It seemed like a matter of time before Boston either took a penalty (and faced Montreals over-25-per-cent effective powerplay... since acquiring Mathieu Schneider) or Montreal just flat out scored a goal.

And then that all came crashing down, when the soon-to-be victim of a viscous kick in the shin took a completely use-less mid-third-period cross-checking penalty.

Runner-up: Patrice Brisebois... for coughing up the puck several (hundred) times.


I am NOT going to kick

MARTIN HAVLAT

in the shin. (Notice the lack of reward... simply just letting him live his life without the threat of being kicked in shins... for now.)

Reason:

Much concern has been put forward by the hockey pundits over the lack of playoff experience on the Chicago Blackhawks. But i'm pulling for them, because boy are they fun to watch. And one of their players that does have playoff experience managed to carry the young guns on his back. Martin Havlat scored the tying goal in the third period and then the overtime winner. It's kinda like the polar opposite of being Josh Gorges.

Runnerup: Bill Guerin... because he's so godamned old and is still scoring goals.


*Edit: Listen, i know a lot of you are probably thinking that a kick in the shin is no big deal. You're all like "what sorta pussy-arse punishment is that, anyway". Well i'll tell you. a few months ago a 40 year old man slide-tackled me at rec league soccer and I didn't have shin guards on. There's still a goddamn bone chip in my shin that hurts every time I say the words: "Carey Price" (Is that true? you'll never know).

So stop your goddamn laughing. It's a serious affliction.